THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: In Egypt, people are celebrating the life of one of the country's statesman in a new film. But the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat has been a controversial figure in the Arab world. Many accuse him of destroying Arab unity in the 1970s, while others declare him a hero for his leadership in becoming the first Arab and Muslim leader to secure a peace agreement with Israel.
For more on the controversial life of Anwar Sadat, Shahira Amin of Egyptian TV has this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHAHIRA AMIN, EGYPTIAN TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Twenty years after the assassination of late President Anwar Sadat, a new file depicting 40 years of his life and reflecting each of the political and social conditions during that period has prompted a reassessment of Sadat, the man and his politics.
Script writer Ahmed Bahdet (ph), who based his script on Sadat's autobiography and "Woman of Egypt," a book written by Sadat's widow Gihan says the film, "Days of Sadat," challenges the view propagated by Sadat's opponents that he was a gambler who betrayed the Arab cause. Instead, Bahdet (ph) says, as time passes, more people are coming to realize that Sadat was a genius politician, a vigorous and visionary statesman who was loyal to his country and people.
The film is the brain child of popular actor Ahmed Zeki (ph) who plays the title role and is a follow-up to the earlier blockbuster "Nasser 56," in which Zeki (ph) also played the part of former President Nasser.
From Sadat's struggle against the British occupation to his assassination in 1981, the film traces major events that shaped Sadat's life, educating youth on an important period of their history.
"Before I saw the film, I knew very little about Sadat. Now, I know why they call him the hero of war and peace."
(on camera): It was in this very room, in this very house, the house of late President Anwar Sadat, that many of the scenes of the film were shot. Mrs. Sadat assisted Zeki (ph) by offering him many of the president's possessions, including his famous pipe. (voice-over): Sadat's widow Gihan is pleased with the end result, and hopes the film will serve as a reminder of the peace initiated by Sadat, and which 20 years after his death remains unrealized.
GIHAN SADAT, FORMER EGYPTIAN FIRST LADY: If the Arabs, the Palestinians or if all the Arabs which they have -- who's -- part of their land is occupied by the Israelis, if they join Sadat when he invited them in (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to come, and that was 24 years ago.
If they joined him at that time, by now, after 24 years, it would have been solved and the Palestinian will be settled, having their home land, and all the Arab countries which they have their land -- part of their land is occupied, it would have been solved, again, and restoring their land, if they joined Sadat at that time.
AMIN: The memory of Sadat's visit to El-Aksa mosque and to the Knesset will remain an enduring reminder that a different and better Middle East is possible.
Shahira Amin, Egyptian Television, for the CNN WORLD REPORT.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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